Considered a keystone species, sea otters are critically important to the health of coastline marine ecosystems! They prey upon sea urchins and other invertebrates that destructively graze on giant kelp. Kelp forests are home to a wide diversity of animals, help protect coastlines from storm surge and absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide!

Because they were regularly hunted for their fur, sea otters were in serious danger of extinction in the early 20th century - only approximately 2,000 were left in the wild. Their numbers have jumped up since being granted protection as an endangered species.